SAN DIEGO – One motorist is dead and another is seriously injured after a head-on auto collision on state Route 56 in Rancho Penasquitos, according to a report from ABC 10. The accident reportedly took place shortly after 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, and the California Highway Patrol believes that the motorist responsible for the incident may have been under the influence of alcohol.

According to the CHP, an eastbound Land Rover SUV veered across a center median and smashed into an oncoming 2010 Toyota Scion. The driver of the Land Rover, 18-year-old Timothy Barnette, was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla for treatment of severe injuries. The other driver, who was killed at the scene, was a 22-year-old San Diego resident. His name has not been released to the public, pending an investigation.

According to ABC, Barnette will likely face criminal charges for the incident, as authorities believe he may have been under the influence of prescription medication or a controlled substance. The matter is still under investigation. One witness—a marine who had been driving behind the Scion—got out of his vehicle and rushed to the aid of both victims after the accident. In an interview with ABC, he described the moment at which he approached Barnette.

“He was conscious and someone had given him a cellphone to make a call,” the witness told ABC. “He was obviously shocked. He told his mom he was going to have to be picked up because he was feeling sick, so he was conscious but very confused as to what happened.”

San Diego auto accident lawyer Jeff Nadrich has more than two decades of experience working with car accident victims in San Diego County, and he recently commented on this case. According to Nadrich, “The details are still under investigation, and we cannot definitively comment on who caused the accident or why it occurred. There’s still much we can learn from it, though.

“The outcome is truly heartbreaking, and events like this should serve as a reminder to all motorists about the importance of safe driving. Sadly, though, these case also remind us that we can’t predict every eventuality, and even the most diligent drivers can become subject to serious accidents. That’s why it’s so important to talk to a qualified legal professional when these accidents occur. You shouldn’t have to suffer financial hardship because of another’s actions.

About Nadrich & Cohen: Jeffrey Nadrich is a San Diego auto accident lawyer with Nadrich & Cohen, LLP. The office is located at 2534 State Street, Suite 420, San Diego, CA 92101. Nadrich & Cohen handles all types of wrongful death and serious injury accident cases, including auto, truck, bus, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents, pedestrian collisions, boating accidents, dog bites, defective product cases and nursing home abuse. Victims are encouraged to call 1-800-718-4658 or 619-230-8830 for a free consultation with a Nadrich & Cohen attorney.

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